Archbishop Alexander Sample was born November 7, 1960 in Kalispell, Montana to Joyce V. Sample and the late Alexander K. Sample, Jr. In 1982 he graduated from Michigan Technological University  (Houghton, MI) with a Bachelor of Science in Metallurgical Engineering (B.S.). Then in 1984 he received his Master of Science in Metallurgical Engineering (M.S.) In 1986      he attended the College of St. Thomas (St. Paul, MN) to study Philosophy. In 1990 he received his Master of Divinity (M.Div.) from Pontifical College Josephinum Seminary (Columbus, OH). In 1996 he received his Licentiate in Canon Law (J.C.L.) from Pontifical University of St. Thomas Aquinas (Rome). Ordained a Priest on June 1, 1990 at St. Peter Cathedral (Marquette, MI) he then went on to become the Associate Pastor, St. Peter Cathedral (Marquette, MI), the Pastor at St. George Parish (Bark River, MI), Sacred Heart Parish (Schaffer, MI) and St. Michael Parish (Perronville, MI). In 2006 he was ordained Bishop of Marquette on January 25 at St. Peter Cathedral and then in 2013 he was installed as Archbishop of Portland in Oregon on April 2. He currently serves on the following committees: Member of USCCB Sub-Committee on the Catechism, Member of the Board of Directors of Mt. Angel Seminary (St. Benedict, OR), Chairman of the Episcopal Council for Mt. Angel Seminary, Chairman of the Board of Oregon Catholic Press (OCP), Member of the Board of Directors of Catholic Charities of Western Oregon, Member of the Oregon Catholic Conference (OCC), Trustee of the Catholic Near East Welfare Association (CNEWA) and Member of the Council of Administration of “Aiuto alla Chiesa che Soffre” (Aid to the Church in Need).